Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-23

cedes to the former. Without word OF OBJ.
lection he signs the Mexican bill, which pen
sions, it is estimated, 10000 men who fought
in the rebel army to destroy the very govern
men! which now bestows upon them bounty,
while, with the same hand, and almost in the
same breath. he vetoes q bill enacted for the
purpose of keeping from the poorhouse those
disabled veterans who fought to preserve this
Union, and without whose efforts there would
now be no government over which this, our
President, an unsecured non-combatant,
might preside a rich and hOnored par
taker of the nations bounty. sumptu-
ously clothed and fed, and as far
removed in station from the despised and
poverty stricken veterans IS the heavens
are from the earth, and whose widow. upon
his demise, will be entitled to an annual pen
sion amounting to as much as would. under
this bill, pension Sc sick soldiers.
The Committee on Invalid Pensions made
an unanimous report to the House this after
noon. recommending the passage OF the bill
over the veto, and it will be called up on
Thursday, when there will be an exciting
time But at this present writing the chances
are that the rebel brigadiers will be able to
defeat the measure. Mr.. Cleveland has man.
ifested an unusual interest in the matter. and
q
made, so as to ascertain whether the South ia
going to sustain him.
A STATE DINNER AT THE WHITE House
The President and Mrs Cleveland gave a
State dinner last Thursday evening in honor
of the members of the Superior Court and
Senate judiciary Committee and their ladies.
Flowers were in great abundance, and artis-
tically arranged in every room. The State
dining room was more ela5orately decorated
than usual. The table centre piece was in
the shape of large cushion of pink roses
laid on the lsng mirror and holding an open
book, with "Lsw and Justice" in purple
letters on white immortelles. The
end pieces were crossed with swords of
red and white carnations. Bouquets of roses
in single varieties massed separately were at
the ladies' plates. The President took in
Mrs. Waite, wife of the Chief Justice, and
the Chief Justice escorted Mrs. Cleveland.
Seven kinds of wine were served. 1t is said
that Mrs. Cleveland, Miss Cleveland and
Senator Nc MILAN and wife were the only
ones who declined the wine. The Marine
Band was stationed at the outer corridor and
PLAYED selections throughout the evening.
Mrs. Cleveland held her last public reception
this afternoon. The crowd was immense.
A Boon FOR DEAD CIrY.
No city in the South was so completely
ruined BY the war as Alexandria. It's BUSH
ness is absolutely dead. The great ware
houses and the fine piers which line the
water front have long since gone to decay
and they stand as grim monuments of de
parted glory. The grass grows in the unused
streets and the noble river as it sweeps past
brings to the ancient town neither good nor
evil. But recent transaction has inspired
the inhabitants of Alexandria to hope that
they may be on the verge of q change for
the better and that the city may yet regain
her old position. The Arrow Shipbuilding
Company has just purchased the lower ship
yard The new owners propose to build an
iron passenger steamship, $40 feet long.
under new patent. The cost is estimated
at several millions of dollars and vessel of
this size would be the largest ever built in
America. The inventor claims that she will
York in less than six DAYS. No freight will
be carried. She is to be named the POGO
hontas and eleven more of the same type are
to be built.
Mr.. BLAINE CAUGHT AT LAST.
In looking over some conveyances the 9TH
er day,a real estate agent of this city found q
deed which had been recorded in the Office of
the Recorder of Deeds for this District, and
which was Endorsed, "Recsived for record,
&C July l6, 1884," and signed. ''James G
Blaine, Recorder of Deeds" The signature
appears to be in the handwriting of Frederick
Douglass. who was then Recorder, and it ia
supposed that he in fit of absent mindedness,
and while thinking of Mr.. Blaine, wrote that
gentleman's name instead Of his own. This
circumstance will probably be urged as anoth-
er argument why Mr.. Blaine should not be
elected President.
THE NATIONAL DRILL.
There is every prospect now that Congress
will appropriate $500 to enable the Secre-
tary of War to provide suitable medals to be
presented to the competitors IN the National
drill to take place next May. Other prizes
will also b. offered large number of sx-
ira policemen have been provided for. The
rules governing entries, the drill and camp,
have been printed this week, and copies may
now be had upon application.
PROBABILITIES OF NEW CoHMIssIoNER OF
PATENTS.
1t 10 said that Commissioner of Patents
Montgomery will soon resign, and it would
seem Is if the place should be filed by New
England man. N that aection in the uoat dean.